The world has become less secure

January 9, 20202min read

Today

The world has become less secure
We bring to your attention the comment of Vasily Senatorov, published in No. 126 of Yacht Russia magazine under the heading "From the publisher".

Here is a personal experience from the Dragon class. Even ten years ago, 80% of the days in which it was impossible to conduct races fell on calm weather. The 2019 season showed the opposite: almost all the drops from the regatta schedules were associated with a very strong wind and wave. Cannes, Cascais, Kuhlungsborn, Medemblik, Mallorca … South, West, North Europe.

The August calm of the western Mediterranean gave way to lingering storms, and the brutal wind and wave in the Bay of Biscay forced the Mini-Transat race to be postponed for almost two weeks.

But what meteorologists write … Climate change has begun to have a negative impact on sailing. An increase in the temperature of the oceans and air has caused an increase in the frequency of hurricanes. In the entire history of observations, 2016-2019 became the longest period in which a hurricane of the most destructive category 5 was observed every year. Most of them still remember “Irma” and “Maria”, who destroyed the yacht marinas and destroyed the charter fleet on the islands of the Caribbean Sea.

The famous navigator, organizer of the transatlantic ARC race, Jimmy Cornell, analyzed the general trends in long-distance sailing trips: “The information collected from the 50 most attractive places for yachtsmen indicates that the peak of long-distance sailing came in 2010. The number of boats crossing the Atlantic and sailing through the Panama Canal is decreasing. The same trend is observed in Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti. ”

Safety is not only threatened by more severe weather conditions. The world has become generally less secure. Risks are now associated not only with the passage of the northern Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, but the danger comes from the shores of Venezuela, Brazil, Honduras, as well as East and West Africa, from some regions of the Caribbean.

True, the number of boats enveloping the Cape of Good Hope has increased, and the popularity of routes in high latitudes is growing. So, if in 2010 55 yachts dared to travel to Svalbard, then in 2019 there were already 72. And the number of sailings through the Northwest Passage doubled over the years – from 7 to 14.

There is other good news. The quality of weather forecasts and satellite communications has improved markedly, collective round-the-world rallies are gaining popularity. A hike in the flotilla, which is sponsored by a qualified coastal team, significantly reduces the risks.

In any case, the basis of safety is good marine practice, which we wish all readers of our journal to master.

Peaceful and happy to you 2020!

Vasily Senators,
publisher

21 Today # 9800

Chief Editor